Christmas wreaths are symbolic. The twigs that are commonly used as framework for Christmas Wreaths symbolize the thorns that were put on Jesus Christ’s head when he was crucified. According to some legends, the thorns that were put on Christ’s head was actually a wreath of holly with white berries that turned red with the blood of Christ flowing from the wounds made by the thorns on His head. The holly berries, having a color of bright red symbolize Christ’s blood that was shed for humanity.
The wreaths are commonly made of varying evergreens which can be adapted to our faith. Evergreens, being used as the traditional adornment symbolize eternity in God’s grace. Some wreaths have pine cones, nuts, or seedpods as embellishments. These three symbolize life and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Some traditional wreaths are designed to be put over the mantle of the dinner table, with four candles in the middle that symbolize the four weeks of Advent. The candles also have different colors. Three candles are purple and one has the color of a rose. The purple candles symbolize prayer, penance, preparatory sacrifices and good works. The third candle has the color of a rose to symbolize the rose vestments that the priest wears at mass (on the third Sunday of the Advent). The progression of lighting of the candles symbolizes the greater expectation as Christmas comes close along with the anticipation of Christ’s second coming. It is known that the candles are lit one by one every week during the Advent, for it symbolizes Christ himself, who is the light of the world.
Altogether, the materials, colors, and shapes when combined make these wreaths as ornaments with great bearing and importance. The things that these materials symbolize contribute to the meaning and significance of the Christmas wreaths as wonderful and colourful ornaments during the yuletide season.
